Confidence Fitness 2-in-1 Elliptical Trainer with Seat

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$200.00

Confidence Fitness 2-in-1 is definitely designed for something grand. It is a stationary bike and an elliptical trainer at the same time!

Combining two of the most sought after exercise machines both in gyms and at home has made this elliptical machine popular in the market. On top of its unique concept, confidence Fitness also has a very attractive price.

Confidence fitness works as well as the other elliptical machines in the market. It also allows for maximum body movement through the oval motion feature of its foot pedals.

The machine can also help maximize movement in the lower body while reducing the stress typically experienced by the lower back, knees and ankles of the rider. It can be used for walking or for running, at more importantly, for cycling. This 2-in-1 machine is definitely at must have!

Comparing Confidence Fitness 2-in-1 with other Elliptical Machines

If you have tried using an elliptical machine yourself, you might agree with me that some models are just too awkward to use. Standing on a machine that moves your legs up and down can make you dizzy at times, or worse, fall off the machine itself. Confidence Fitness saw through this problem and so, its makers placed a seat on the machine. Now, the rider can just seat at times when he/she feels like fainting or falling down.

The machine can also accomodate riders who are not in the position to stand on an elliptical machine. For example, someone who has an injured arm may not be able to balance well on a standard elliptical machine, but with Confidence Fitness, he/she can just sit on the machine and still get the exercise that he/she needs for his/her lower body.

However, it has also been found out that sitting while doing an exercise on an elliptical machine reduces the resistance felt by the body during the entire course of the exercise.

This means that the rider will not get the most from his/her workout because some portions of his/her body is in a resting position. This reduces the effectiveness of toning and strengthening exercises designed for the lower body muscles.

The machine’s handlebars are also problematic for some. Compared to that of a standard elliptical machine, the handlebars of Confidence fitness are not strategically postioned in such as way that it can really support the rider while standing on the machine.

One reason for this is that the manufacturers of the machine tried to make the handlebars convenient both for sitting and standing. As it turns out, in its effort to accomodate for both, the handlebars became not as useful as it should.

Other Prominent Issues

Confidence Fitness 2-in-1 has three major issues that need further discussion. First is its unit weight. The machine is only 64 pounds! This weight is rather too low for a stable elliptical machine. As a result, it wiggles a lot and it also has a very low weight limit, only 250 pounds. The machine also feels so high, riding on the machine feels like wearing extremely high elevated stilletos. For most people, the stability of the elliptical machine is the most important factor they give consideration to when buying.

Another issue I have about this machine it its difficult assembly instrustions. The machine can be really frustrating to assemble and the customer service is also not strong, so you can’t really expect real help from them. Lastly, the ultimate issue I have with Confidence Fitness is its price.

Let’s face it, a cheap elliptical machine is cheap no matter how much we sugar coat it. There are more expensive stationary bikes in the market even! That’s how cheap Confidence Fitness it. Given that it is that cheap, one cannot really demand for so much quality as much as we can demand for more expensive products.

CYBEX 425A Arc Trainer

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$4,995.00

Curiosity will make you want to try Cybex 750AT, but it will be your experience with the machine that will make you want to use it over and over again. This is the common reaction of those who have used of this elliptical machine for the first time. The users are impressed by Cybex Arc Trainer’s efficiency even when it is classified as home-use gym equipment, when most others can’t meet their standards.

Cybex 750AT Pros

1. Easy Motion Feature

This provides the user a great workout experience without stressing the joints. The “reverse arc” motion feature of the machine allows the legs to move biomechanically in the correct way. This enables maximum workout exercise without stressing too much leg muscles. Because of this, the user can speed longer periods of time on the machine and thus, achieve better results compared to those who use other machines. This is possible because the arc of the elliptical machine makes sure the toes of the user is never placed behind his/her knee.

2. Flexible Stride Height

An elliptical machine should be flexible enough to accommodate the reach of the user’s legs. For this reason, it will be really helpful if the machine has an adjustable stride height. As a general description of the stride height, from the user’s manual of the machine, it is said that the “lower incline” level has a height similar to that of a country skier; a “mid-range incline”, that of a normal elliptical machine position; and, the “high incline, comparable to that what you do when you are climbing.

You can also program the machine to a “Hill Profile”; this gives you the sensation that you are climbing a small hill.

3. Natural Movement

The machine is specially designed to help the legs and the arms move naturally. This gives the body optimal chance to move. As a result, the body will get maximum exercise while keeping the user in a comfortable position.

4. Digital Display

For fast and easy tracking, the machine is equipped with a digital screen that displays the calories burnt of the user, the METs, the amount of power exerted, the speed and heart rate. The screen also displays the current settings of the machine.

5. Self-powered Operation

Surprisingly, this Cybex 750AT does not need a power cord to operate.

6. Strong Customer Support

One of the strongest assets of Cybex is their costumer support system. Anytime that their clients feel the need to reach them for specific questions, they will be right there for you to help in in every way that they can.

Cybex 750AT Cons

1. Cool down Feature

One problem that I see with this machine is its lack of a cool down function. It is always helpful if the machine which is used allows the user to slowly cool down prior to stopping as this lessens the stress experienced by the body. Immediately jumping off the machine after a heavy work out might result to severe physical trauma.

2. Safety

This machine is also not so safe to be used with children and pets around. This machine can be dangerous because of its moving parts.

3. Gadget Tray

Most people nowadays prefer to work out with their iPod on. The problem with Cybex is that it does not have a tray where gadgets can be played. Although this can be solved by simply using an arm band that can hold the user’s gadgets.

Overall Impression

This machine is a very good elliptical machine and it is also quite affordable. Majority of the negative issues about this elliptical machine are almost negligible and are quite easy to solve. On the other hand, the positive features of Cybex can’t be easily found in other elliptical machines. So as a conclusion, this product is highly recommendable, especially to those who are new to working out.